Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2001 4:17 pm
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Location: Canada
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http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/919_ ... 010001.htm
Lets see what "bitter end" he is gonna take this to !
Accusing Pakistani singers of exploiting Indian goodwill to make money, Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh has demanded a complete ban on their entry into the country.
"Artistes like Adnan Sami, Ali Haider and others come to India freely, mint money and even have the gall to settle down. If there's a moratorium on playing cricket with Pakistan, what's the harm in extending it to music?" asks an exasperated Singh.
He is not apologetic about tarring everyone with the same brush. "While there may be some exceptions like Abida Parveen and Shakira Sayyed with whom I enjoy very good relations, it is a sad fact that most Pakistani artistes are opportunists at heart. There can be no exceptions when it comes to protecting national interests. I am asking for a blanket ban, my own relations with certain singers notwithstanding," Singh says.
It is the first time that a prominent musician has gone on record calling for a ban on Pakistani artistes. Interestingly Singh's outburst comes at a time when the NGO, Indian Pakistani Soldiers' Initiative for Peace (IPSIP), is keen to invite a group of five performers from across the border. According to Nirmala Deshpande, an eminent Gandhian and Chairperson, IPSIP: "We have already moved the government about our proposal. Our policy of tit-for-tat doesn't seem to be working. Hostilities will only continue to increase unless there are more people-to-people contacts and how better to bring the two nations together than through music?"
Singh however begs to disagree. "It's meaningless to talk about love, affection and peace when there is no reciprocity from the other side. We have been humiliated and our request for a visa declined each time we have approached the Pakistani authorities. This leads us to the conclusion that our neighbours have nothing but hatred for all things Indian. Our hospitality and friendly overtures are being used against us," says the man noted for his mellifluous voice.
The singer is determined to pursue his anti-Pak crusade to the bitter end. "We'll launch a protest in case the government grants them permission to come. While we have no intention of derailing the peace process, the true facts need to be placed before the authorities. I am not the only one in the industry who feels strongly about the issue. There are others, including Abhijeet, Alka Yagnik, Lata Mangeshkar and Daler Mehndi who are willing to become part of any agitation ," he promises.
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